Goals galore on opening day as Lyon and PSG register comfortable wins: D1 Arkema Week One Review
Scoring goals and keeping clean sheets in the first game week was of obvious relevance for teams in action over the weekend and Paris Saint-Germain did not disappoint as they kicked off the campaign with a 2-0 win over ASJ Soyaux Charente on Friday.
Debutant Lieke Mertens was quick to give her new team a head-start with a fifth-minute left-foot-strike off a perfectly weighted pass from midfielder Kadidiatou Diani. The goal announced the top markswoman’s arrival in France.
The guests failed to recover from an early setback and found themselves further on the back foot courtesy of a 34th minute strike from Diani, who had, however, earlier missed from a penalty.
PSG continued to dominate proceedings registering 10-2 shots on target and an impressive 72-28 percentage ball possession.
Elsewhere, Daniëlle van de Donk and Sara Däbritz were inevitable for Lyon.
Van de Donk did score and twice in fact, whereas Sara Däbritz scored once and assisted. Other scorers were midfielder Damaris Egurrola and forward Melvine Malard as the reigning champions made their intentions clear thumping Stade de Reims 5-1 on Sunday afternoon.
Midfielder Melchie Daëlle Dumornay scored the consolation goal for Reims.
The win catapulted Lyon to the apex of the log on three points as they enjoy superior goal difference against those beneath them on the standings.
Paris FC registered their first victory of the season when they got the better of debutants Rodez with a 2-0 win at home in a somewhat routine win by the Parisans.
A 28th minute strike from Clara Mateo provided enough spring in their step with the Sandrine Soubeyrand coached side going on to score another one in the 72nd minute through trusted goal-poacher Mathilde Bourdieu.
It was another dominant display from the side from the capital as they enjoyed possession of the game with a pass accuracy of 81%, translating to 546 passes in the game.
A brace from Haitian import Nerilia Mondesir and a strike from forward Faustine Robert were all that Montpellier needed to condemn Dijon to a 3-0 opening day defeat at home.
Dijon never really bothered the hosts and went on to register a meagre two shots on target against a resolute Montpellier defense well marshalled by Danish Luna Gevitz.
Fleury were too hot to handle for Guingamp with the later succumbing to a 3-0 opening-day thumping at the hands of last season’s fourth place holders.
A brace from forward Rosemonde Kouassi either side of a Julie Piga strike was all Fleury needed to bag maximum points.
Visitors, Le Havre, got a rude-awakening against Bordeax when they got clobbered 4-2 away.
A brace from forward Maëlle Garbino and strikes from fellow forwards Mickäella Cardia and Mélissa Gomes were all the home side needed to register an emphatic matchday 1 victory.
A brace from Le Havre midfielder Salomé Elisor was not enough to claim maximum points for Le Havre.
RESULTS (Friday): PSG 2 – 0 Soyaux-Charente
RESULTS (Saturday): Bordeaux 4 – 2 Le Havre; Paris FC 2 – 0 Rodez; Montpellier 3 – 0 Dijon;Guingamp 0 – 3 Fleury
RESULTS (Sunday): Stade Reims 1 – 5 Lyon